Verizon Ending Unlimited Data Plans...

[majorpay]

If the OP is correct, I will not necessarily leave Verizon, but this will be the last smartphone I ever own. I switched to a smartphone, because for the first time ever, it actually seemed feesable to do so. If they start playing games and require us to check our usage every 5 seconds, then I'm done, and say goodbye to Android, I'll take the plain Jane that doesn't REQUIRE a data plan.

Here is a great article from business week that talks about this year's Mobile World Congress and how mobile service providers have benefioted greatly from google, but now in many ways fear that it will cut into their income sources and turn them into bit players:

Mobile Industry Strikes Back at Google and Apple

And here is another showing that Vodafone (VZW's co-parent) is already actively lobbying to put the breaks on Google (even though at the same time they are turning most of their offerings into android based devices):

Vodafone Head Hits at Google's Power

and

Mobile World Congress: Google tries to placate mobile operators

Lastly here is part of the reason they are scared, and what could be a great option for North American consumers:

Google to build 1Gbps ultra-high-speed broadband networks

The mobile industry knows that Google is ultimately after their business. By implementing 1Gbps networks, they can effectively offer voice service through their phones using the 1Gbps systems using VOIP. "Free" phones for all = bye bye cell phone companies.

 

[srothkin]

Well, if they charge extra to get 4G, I'll probably just stick with my 3G -- for 99% of what I do it is fast enough.

 

[Hrethgir]

For some reason people think metered time would save them money somehow what they don't realize if this ever goes into effect, it will only result in price increases, not decreases, for anyone.

Tapatalk. Samsung Moment. Yep.

This is exactly my fear. Instead of lowering the rates for people who don't use a lot of data, they will leave them the same and raise rates for the heavy users. And that's a best-case scenario, while in reality, the lower user people will probably see a small increase, and heavy users will get a bigger increase.

 

[Smiles]

Hmmm? I've worked in the industry for years with almost all of the current carriers, at one time or another. The theories and fears in this thread are interesting.

I can tell you the current methods I am familiar with for data packages, do NOT have anything to do with managing bandwidth through increased fees to users. Rather, the company I am currently working with is simply throttling bandwidth based on usage. After you exceed a specific amount of download data within a specific time frame, your access is decreased while a lighter user will continue to see the same speeds and access. So the person that downloads one or two movies, will continue to see normal service. The person that pigs up bandwidth and spectrum with continual torrent downloads for hours upon hours, will see his speeds diminish to 25-50% of what they would be if he had average usage. This is further refined in that if said offender is in an area of low usage by other customers, that is, if equipment usage is down to nothing at 3 a.m., in say a rural area, then the throttling rules won't apply... go crazy use it while the other customers are sleeping.

By the way, I have been pleasingly surprised by Sprint coverage and customer service.

 

[Isthmus]

while what you are saying sounds reasonable, that is not what VZW or Vodafone are saying in the several links above.

 

[Todd M]

Well, if they charge extra to get 4G, I'll probably just stick with my 3G -- for 99% of what I do it is fast enough.

That's fine for now, but just as the carriers have already began charging for data plans for non-smartphones, the carriers will move EVERY phone to 4g so you have to pay for their plans. It is inescapable...

 

[Lefort1]

IF, and a big IF this is true that's fine. I'm sure they will lose a lot of other customers unless all of the big carriers follow suit.